Friday, June 22, 2018

Predicting the 2018 Trade Deadline: Mike Moustakas

"I am out of here!!"

Mike Moustakas has been about the only bright spot in the
entire Kansas City Royals organization this season, at least as far as the
Major League team is concerned. The team has struggled as a whole with the
exception of Moustakas, who came back on a one-year deal after failing to find
another suitable team to play for here in 2018 as a free agent this winter, and
the Royals will undoubtedly cash in on his successes before this year’s July 31st
trade deadline. There will be many teams interested in his services but
ultimately, I believe it will be the Boston Red Sox, as much as that pains me
to say, who will acquire the man they call “Moose Tacos.”

Why would the Red Sox need to go out and acquire Moustakas
from the Kansas City Royals when the organization feels like they have their
third baseman of the future already on the team in Rafael Devers? Recently
Kansas City has allowed Moustakas to play some first base, albeit just in a
pair of games, presumably as a showcase for the natural third baseman in trades.
The Red Sox recently let go of a first baseman in Hanley Ramirez in order to
not only avoid his 2019 option from triggering, but also to give Mitch Moreland
some more at-bats at the position. Since the designation of assignment for
Ramirez the Red Sox first baseman has struggled mightily giving the team a need
at first.

Moustakas could fit the bill rotating between first base,
third base and the designated hitter position for the Red Sox while giving the
team a much-needed boost in offense. Moustakas is well on his way to another
30+ home run season and he could touch 40 home runs and 100 RBI if half his
games were being played inside Fenway Park. This would not only be great for
Moustakas as it would give him an opportunity to play in a pennant race as well
as showcase his talents for teams on a grand stage before his impending free
agency, but it would also be a huge upgrade for minimal prospects for the Red
Sox because he is a rental.

Moustakas comes with a $15 million mutual option for the
2019 season with a $1 million buyout that the Red Sox could easily either buy
out, or exercise for next season without blinking an eye. As much as it pains
me to say this as a Yankees fan, I truly believe that Moustakas will be playing
for the Boston Red Sox once the calendar turns to August 1, 2018.